The study found that most of the 25 most integrated areas are in the South, with the Norfolk, Va., area being the most integrated. Mobile's metro area ranked 18th. No other Alabama areas are included in the study.
Birmingham, long labeled one of the most segregated metropolitan areas in America, may be far less divided than previous studies have shown, new research indicates.
When it comes to blacks and whites living close to one another, the Birmingham area ranks 22nd out of the 100 largest metro areas, according to a December study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Employment and Training Institute. The study, which looks down to the census block level to see where blacks and whites live, contradicts the long-used ``segregation index," which for decades has listed Birmingham as a hyper-segregated area.
Using the traditional segregation index and 2000 census numbers, Birmingham would rank as the 87th most integrated metro area of the top 100, according to the study. The new method puts Birmingham at 22nd. Only Memphis and New Orleans gained more ground with the new approach.
Lois M. Quinn, one of the researchers who developed the study, said the old segregation index is antiquated and racially biased. Instead of rewarding true integration, it rewards areas where blacks are evenly dispersed and assimilated into white communities. Cities that achieve integration under that model actually dilute black political clout.
``Birmingham has done so badly on the segregation index because it has one of the highest percentages of black population in America," said Quinn, the institute's senior research scientist. ``The index was anti-black."
In contrast, Albuquerque, N.M., would rank as the most integrated metro area in America using the old model. But Albuquerque has a black population of only 2.6 percent.
``It just doesn't work," Quinn said.
Under the new model, Albuquerque ranks 95th.
Here are the two methods and how they work:
The traditional segregation index, developed more than four decades ago, ranked metropolitan areas on the degree to which the black population was evenly dispersed. It's goal was to reach the same white-black ratio in each census tract, according to the study. For example, Salt Lake City would be described as ideal using this method because it is close to reaching the goal of having less than 2 percent black population in each tract.
The new Wisconsin-Milwaukee method uses Census blocks rather than tracts, allowing researchers to look far more comprehensively at populations. It differs from the earlier model because it assumes that both majority white and majority black neighborhoods may be considered integrated. So if a neighborhood is considered integrated if it is 80 percent white and 20 percent black, it must also be considered integrated if it is 80 percent black and 20 percent white.
The study found that most of the 25 most integrated areas are in the South, with the Norfolk, Va., area being the most integrated. Mobile's metro area ranked 18th. No other Alabama areas are included in the study.
Don Bogie, director of the Center for Demographic Research at Auburn University in Montgomery, said the Wisconsin study appears valid in terms of methodology.
``Using census tracts rather than blocks has been a weakness, in my opinion, of the segregation index," Bogie said. ``Thus, using blocks should give a better picture of the true residential patterns within the city. And, after all, that is where much human interaction has traditionally taken place."
Bogie said improvements in computers have made it possible to analyze smaller areas, as the researchers did.
``Birmingham certainly made a major change using the two methodologies," he said. ``And for the better, thankfully."
Birmingham, long labeled one of the most segregated metropolitan areas in America, may be far less divided than previous studies have shown, new research indicates.
When it comes to blacks and whites living close to one another, the Birmingham area ranks 22nd out of the 100 largest metro areas, according to a December study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Employment and Training Institute. The study, which looks down to the census block level to see where blacks and whites live, contradicts the long-used ``segregation index," which for decades has listed Birmingham as a hyper-segregated area.
Using the traditional segregation index and 2000 census numbers, Birmingham would rank as the 87th most integrated metro area of the top 100, according to the study. The new method puts Birmingham at 22nd. Only Memphis and New Orleans gained more ground with the new approach.
Lois M. Quinn, one of the researchers who developed the study, said the old segregation index is antiquated and racially biased. Instead of rewarding true integration, it rewards areas where blacks are evenly dispersed and assimilated into white communities. Cities that achieve integration under that model actually dilute black political clout.
``Birmingham has done so badly on the segregation index because it has one of the highest percentages of black population in America," said Quinn, the institute's senior research scientist. ``The index was anti-black."
In contrast, Albuquerque, N.M., would rank as the most integrated metro area in America using the old model. But Albuquerque has a black population of only 2.6 percent.
``It just doesn't work," Quinn said.
Under the new model, Albuquerque ranks 95th.
Here are the two methods and how they work:
The traditional segregation index, developed more than four decades ago, ranked metropolitan areas on the degree to which the black population was evenly dispersed. It's goal was to reach the same white-black ratio in each census tract, according to the study. For example, Salt Lake City would be described as ideal using this method because it is close to reaching the goal of having less than 2 percent black population in each tract.
The new Wisconsin-Milwaukee method uses Census blocks rather than tracts, allowing researchers to look far more comprehensively at populations. It differs from the earlier model because it assumes that both majority white and majority black neighborhoods may be considered integrated. So if a neighborhood is considered integrated if it is 80 percent white and 20 percent black, it must also be considered integrated if it is 80 percent black and 20 percent white.
The study found that most of the 25 most integrated areas are in the South, with the Norfolk, Va., area being the most integrated. Mobile's metro area ranked 18th. No other Alabama areas are included in the study.
Don Bogie, director of the Center for Demographic Research at Auburn University in Montgomery, said the Wisconsin study appears valid in terms of methodology.
``Using census tracts rather than blocks has been a weakness, in my opinion, of the segregation index," Bogie said. ``Thus, using blocks should give a better picture of the true residential patterns within the city. And, after all, that is where much human interaction has traditionally taken place."
Bogie said improvements in computers have made it possible to analyze smaller areas, as the researchers did.
``Birmingham certainly made a major change using the two methodologies," he said. ``And for the better, thankfully."
but blacks? not so much.
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